That's right. Here, the customer is always wrong. I don't know what they teach their employees, but Sam Walton should have done some international work around these parts. Here are some things you can expect when you shop:
1. Depending on the store, you may have to put your purse and other belongings in a nice little locker. Even if your purse is really small. And even if you live next door to that store and go in there all the time. Some stores even have locker attendants that make sure you put your things away and who do the locking/unlocking for you.
2. Expect frowns. You're the customer, and you're probably going to shoplift something, so just expect that salespeople will frown at you.
3. Don't do anything for yourself! If you see a stack of shoe boxes and it seems pretty "Payless style"....think again. You are taking someone's job when you grab the shoebox on your own and sit down. You will be reprimanded.
4. When you look at something on the shelf and move it, expect the girl that's been standing over your shoulder to put it back right away.
5. Expect to feel uncomfortable as you browse. There are probably 3 girls watching you as you try to leisurely browse.
That being said, I sometimes HATE shopping here. Whether that's in the grocery store, home-wares store or a clothing store.
BUT, I have grown to love 2 store clerks.
Nara, the school/office supply store girl is great. She speaks English. And when I don't know the word for envelope or thumbtack, she comes to the rescue. She's sweet AND she taught me the word for envelope.
Produce guy is second on my list. He smiles, kindly helps me with my produce, and I tell him the English for what I buy. Produce guy could teach the others a lesson or two.
Next lesson in shopping. You need to learn some helpful product names.
First of all, you will wash your clothes with Barf.
Fairy will do your dishes.
You might want to have a Havana after dinner.
Barf= detergent, Fair=dish soap Havana=yummy ice cream
Welcome to my world!
7 comments:
I loved seeing the "Barf" detergent and cleaners. It made me laugh sooooo hard when I was there.
Oh, dear! You are just have shopping culture shock.
That isn't the only place with that kind of customer treatment! I think it is eastern culture.
Jaclyn, this post was great! I might have to steal this for my blog so I can remember the "fun" of shopping here.
I know it, Darla. I've pretty much used to it now! But I wanted to document the interesting differences :) Yeah, I think it is Easter/old Soviet culture.
Hahahaha! Barf! Haha! I told you it was all made up!!!!
Jaclyn...I LOVE this post! It's so our lives in a nutshell. Kat and I laughed out loud.
Love you.
What a total difference in shop employees from here and there. How do they respond to your smiling face? You never know ...these shops could be mission opportunities. I'm laughing out loud about your descriptions of the people and for sure of the names of products. ... maybe some of our names are funny (just not yukky) Dawn, Joy, All, Cascade Bounty and more
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